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Richland staff outlines steps to pursue Certified Local Government historic-preservation program
Summary
A presenter recommended Richland adopt a historic-preservation ordinance and establish a local commission to qualify for federal tax credits, state special tax valuation and CLG grants for properties 50+ years old; council expressed strong support and asked staff to draft an ordinance.
A presenter briefed council on the Certified Local Government (CLG) program, a federal–state–local partnership created under the National Historic Preservation Act, and explained how Richland could opt in to access tax incentives, grants and technical assistance.
Rizzitello said the CLG program makes properties at least 50 years old eligible for state special tax valuation and federal historic tax credits, and opens access to CLG grant funding and technical assistance from the State Historic Preservation Officer. He explained the program’s mechanics: the city must adopt a historic-preservation ordinance, create and staff a local Historic Preservation Commission (a volunteer body that, under state rules, need meet as little as once per year), adopt bylaws and submit documentation to the state Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation to secure CLG status.
Rizzitello described benefits observed in nearby communities (Kennewick, Pasco, College Place and Colfax), including access to federal/state grants and a special tax-valuation option that reduces assessed value treatment for qualifying rehabilitation work. He said CLG status can also be a ‘‘litmus test’’ for other grant programs and that the program’s grants can fund surveys, walking-tour signage or specialized studies (for example, using ground-penetrating radar to locate graves at a former county poor farm in another city). He cautioned a downside: the need to staff a separate commission, which can be burdensome for small jurisdictions, but said many cities still implement CLG successfully.
Council members asked whether the program would benefit typical local houses and whether it could aid housing and affordability goals; Rizzitello said the 50-year threshold is broad and that program incentives can help rehabilitation of multifamily or commercial properties. Council members expressed broad support and asked staff to produce a draft ordinance for council review; Rizzitello said he would prepare materials and run them through the city attorney’s office.
No formal vote was taken; the council agreed to pursue drafting an ordinance and further staff work.
